Minister hails 'outstanding' support at schools in Sandwell
A minister has hailed the "outstanding support" for children with educational needs at schools across Sandwell.
Vicky Ford MP visited the borough to see the work schools are doing to improve education for children and young people with special educational needs.
She visited The Westminster School in Rowley Regis, Sandwell Academy in West Bromwich, as well as Hargate Primary School, which has been hailed as one of the best of its type in the country.
The Children's Minister, who was a guest of West Bromwich East MP Nicola Richards, said she had seen "some excellent examples of outstanding support for children and young people with special educational needs".
Ms Richards said: "I am incredibly proud that we have a school right here in West Bromwich East that is at the forefront of tackling social issues that can impact of the daily lives of local children, providing them with a safe and calm learning environment to provide the very best education.
"There are some serious challenges, but with the Government’s commitment to increase the per pupil spending to 2.69 per cent in Sandwell, we are taking positive steps to meet these challenges head-on.
"Being recognised by the Department for Education as one of the best schools in the country is testament to the hard work of all of the teachers, support staff and the wider team led by Andrew Orgill and Richard Hipkiss – they are an inspiration to us all."
Hargate Primary School was awarded an 'outstanding' rating by Ofsted in 2017, which praised its leadership and management, quality of teaching and early years provision.
